By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK — A Michigan Lottery winner’s day in court will wait until May 22 after a scheduled preliminary examination was adjourned last week by 25th District Court Judge Michael Ciungan.
Amanda Clayton, 25, was charged last month by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette with two felony counts of welfare fraud; Clayton allegedly continued to collect state assistance after winning a $1 million jackpot. According to investigators, Clayton failed to inform the state of her prize winnings and change of employment status.
Clayton participated in the Michigan Lottery TV show “Make Me Rich!” in September 2011, and opted to take the million-dollar prize as a lump sum of $735,000. The Lincoln Park woman reportedly purchased a new house and car with the winnings, and continued collecting $200 a month in food assistance with a Bridge card, and received medical assistance.
State law requires Bridge card recipients to report changes in income, and Clayton was employed from June through October 2011. In the wake of Clayton’s arraignment, the Michigan Legislature approved amendments requiring lottery winners on welfare to report winnings of more than $1,000.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])